Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 183 The First Book Signing Event in History
In October, autumn was deepening in Paris.

After the controversy on the first day of school, Sofia still came to the Sorbonne to "sit in" classes, but she was obviously much more low-key and did not cause any more trouble for Lionel.

This allowed him to focus on writing the libretto for "The Chorus," and his collaboration with Debussy became increasingly refined.

Surprisingly, under Debussy's intermittent instruction, Petit was able to play some smooth pieces.

Although the melodies are simple, they are enough to bring life to this somewhat empty apartment where only two people live.

That day, Lionel had just returned home when he received a letter from Georges Charpentier:

Dear Leon:

First of all, I have some fantastic news to share! "The Night Meeting at Médan" has been fully printed and bound, and will officially hit bookstores throughout France and even Europe on the 20th of this month, which is 10 days from now!
I swear to the Virgin Mary, the book’s design is absolutely exquisite and worthy of your painstaking efforts!

It's destined to become the hottest novel collection this fall!

Upon seeing this, Lionel exclaimed, "Maupassant has finally finished that damned 'Boule de Suif'."

Enclosed is a statement of royalties from the first printing; please take a look. Should I send it to you, or would it be convenient for you to come to my office for a glass of port and pick it up?
I recently acquired a fine bottle of 85 Porto...

Lionel skipped over the exciting descriptions of the wine and profits, focusing instead on the final paragraph about the publicity plan.

At this point, he frowned. Georges Charpentier said that advertisements had already been placed in Modern Life and Le Petit Parisien.

And then, that was it...

That's it? Lionel was speechless.

What is "The Night at Médan"? It's a collection of works by Zola, Maupassant, Huysmann, Céar, Alexis, Ennique, and his Lionel Sorel!

This is the first time that "Naturalism" has appeared with such a complete and powerful lineup! It is a collection of masterpieces that are destined to be recorded in literary history, including "Boule de Suif," "The Battle of the Mill," and "Old Man Milon"!

Georges Charpentier has gone way too far this time... conservative and traditional. It's like begging while sitting on a gold mine!
Lionel put down the letter, then immediately got up, went to his desk, spread out the letter paper, picked up his quill pen, and began writing a letter to Charpentier.

He wanted to usher in a new era for European book sales, starting with "Nights at Médan"!

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October 21, early morning, the day after the release of "Night in Meitang".

A light mist hung over the banks of the Seine, but the Charpentier bookshelves were already awake.

A long table covered with dark green velvet was set up overnight in front of the bookstore, with seven high-backed chairs neatly arranged.

Behind the long table was the bookstore's ornate window display, artistically showcasing the brand-new copy of "The Night Meeting at Plum Pond"—

The deep blue cover, embossed with the gold title and author's name, gleamed under the gaslight.

Georges Charpentier, dressed in his most expensive suit with a pocket watch chain pinned to his chest, nervously and excitedly directed the shop assistants to make the final preparations.

On the second floor of the bookstore, in the living room used for salons, the "Seven Talents of Meitang" gathered together.

Apart from Lionel, the other six all seemed somewhat nervous and uncomfortable.

Maupassant kept adjusting his bow tie and looked at himself in the window again and again: "God, I feel like a clown making his stage debut."

Will they throw rotten tomatoes at us?

Yusman, pale-faced, muttered, "I'd rather go back and face those damned documents from the Ministry of the Interior... that's far worse."

Even the most composed Zola couldn't help but rub his pipe from time to time, his tone full of doubt: "Will this really work?"

"Would readers really line up early in the morning just for a signed copy?" Only Lionel sat calmly in the corner, flipping through a sample book in the store.

He appeared completely at ease, as if he were about to attend not a cultural event that might go down in history, but rather an ordinary afternoon tea party.

"Leonard, you don't seem worried at all?" Seal asked curiously.

Lionel closed the book and smiled slightly: "What's there to worry about? We've written a book worth reading, and readers would love to meet the people who wrote these stories."

This is perfectly natural. Relax, gentlemen, and just enjoy the process.

His words calmed the crowd's anxiety somewhat.

However, the air in the lounge froze again when George Charpentier came running up, panting, saying that the line outside had already turned two blocks and was still growing.

Alexi stammered, "How...how many people?"

George Charpentier's face was filled with shock and excitement: "There are simply too many people, it's a sea of ​​people! The police even had to come over to maintain order!"

At that moment, Zola, Maupassant, Huysmann... all of them wore expressions of disbelief.

They had expected people to come, but they never imagined it would be such a...grand spectacle.

In the past, there were only private book signings and inscriptions at salon events; there were no book signing events as popular as they are today.

Lionel's smile remained composed: "It seems the readers are much more enthusiastic than we imagined."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At 10:00 a.m. sharp, the heavy oak door of the Charpentier Bookshelf bookstore slowly opened.

When the "Medang Seven," led by Georges Charpentier, walked out of the bookstore and came to the long table covered with green velvet, they were instantly overwhelmed by a deafening roar of cheers and applause.

The sight before them moved even Lionel, who was most prepared, not to mention the other 19th-century writers.

On the main road, a long, winding line of people stretched as far as the eye could see.

Men and women, young and old, dressed in various styles—there were gentlemen in smart coats, ladies in flowing skirts, workers in overalls, and young people carrying books...

Each of them had a gleam of excitement, anticipation, and curiosity on their face.

The police officers maintaining order held hands, struggling to hold back the surging crowds, their foreheads covered in sweat.

Sunlight streamed onto the seven somewhat bewildered writers behind the long table.

The flashbulbs went off a few times—newspaper reporters who had rushed to the scene scrambled for good positions, using their bulky cameras to capture this historic moment!
Zola was deeply moved by the enthusiastic scene.

He had experienced the success of his works, received praise from critics, and attended salons filled with celebrities, but he had never faced so many sincere and enthusiastic readers so directly and on such a large scale.

The overwhelming love and anticipation made his chest feel warm, and his previous doubts and reserve vanished instantly.

He instinctively straightened his back, a solemn smile appeared on his face, and he waved to the crowd.

Maupassant quickly recovered from his tension, his natural charm and humor taking over.

He blew kisses to some of the prettiest ladies in the crowd, eliciting good-natured laughter and screams.

Huysman, Seal, and the others gradually relaxed, infected by this enthusiasm, and curiously looked at the huge group in front of them, which had come together because of their writing.

Georges Charpentier was so excited he almost fainted, and his voice trembled as he announced the start of the book signing.

(End of this chapter)